The Cofidis Alcázar Theater in Madrid was the setting for the presentation of the Magnificent 11 awards, which is chosen annually by the 365 Vinos del Año guide brought out by Vivir el Vino publishers. These are the acknowledgements to the most outstanding wines of the year and, in its 2018 edition, they selected Martelo 2012 as Best Revelation Wine.

Our Marketing Director, Eladio Araiz, collected the award, granted, according to the wine tasting team, to a launch that has been a “surprise” in the current wine scene and that “stands out for its aromatic complexity, elegant mouthfeel, very good acidity and persistent mineral finish.” The 95 points earned in the Guide endorse the potential of the new Martelo that they consider “a turning point for Torre de Oña.”

End point to our 2017 harvest. A harvest that we will all remember for its remarkable advance over previous years as well as for its duration, one of the shortest in recent history in our wineries. These are the effects —found across many Spanish wine regions— of this year’s severe drought and the very cold frost that froze the vineyards at the end of April.

Nonetheless, our final balance is very positive despite the noticeable decline in production. The grapes from our estates, manually cut and optically selected, stood out for their excellent condition, high colour levels, aroma and, particularly, their magnificent balance.

At La Rioja Alta, S.A., special mention should be made of the superb quality attained by the Tempranillo and Graciano in the La Cuesta and Montecillo vineyards in Fuenmayor and Cenicero. In addition, our winemaker Julio Sáenz was also very happy with the Garnacha grapes from La Pedriza in Tudelilla, an essential component of the Viña Ardanza wine.

This vintage was particularly good in Torre de Oña. Even Sáenz considers that our Rioja Alavesa vineyard offered “the grapes with the most balanced ripeness of the last years” and even points out that “we can stand before one of the best vintages” in the Páganos winery.

The Áster winery in Ribera del Duero also collected very good quality Tinta del País grapes in excellent condition, although, in this case, production was severely affected by the harsh weather in 2017.

In Lagar de Cervera, the vintage of our Albariño grapes concluded on 22 September and the wines have already successfully completed their fermentation in the winery in O Rosal (Pontevedra). In his final balance, the winemaker Ángel Suárez expressed his joy at having successfully managed, both in terms of quality and of quantity, a very demanding year with a worrying water shortage in Rías Baixas.

The Torre de Oña winery, part of Grupo La Rioja Alta, S.A., has launched the first vintage (2012) of the Martelo Reserva, its new Rioja Alavesa wine.

Made from winemaker Julio Sáenz’s personal selection of over 60-year-old vines and vintages which are “fresh, with long ripening periods,” its arrival means, according to the winemaking group’s president, Guillermo de Aranzabal, “much more than the presentation of a new brand.” It is, he says, “a veritable turning point in the history of the winery and, even, of Rioja Alavesa, as Martelo represents an unprecedented style which brings together, the finesse and complexity of Rioja Alta and the personality and rusticity of the great Alava terroir in perfect balance.”

Aranzabal has also stated that “we have been polishing and defining this new style based on an arduous oenological work and, above all, research into and knowledge of our vineyard for more than two decades.” All this with the aim of “extracting the essence of this special land to give our wines an up-to-date, highly differential character.”

To make this first edition, the Páganos winery has opted for a selection of Tempranillo grapes (95%), complemented with other varieties, including Mazuelo, Garnacha and even Viura, representing “the most traditional plantations in the area, with blends arising from the vineyard.”“Each plot of Torre de Oña manifests itself in a very different way” says winemaker Julio Sáenz, “and time and experience have taught us the way to make this modern, tasty, balanced wine, with great personality and expressiveness,” ideal to go with food thanks to its “structure and elegance.”

Both Spanish and international wine critics have welcomed the new Martelo Reserva 2012 with anticipation and magnificent scores. 40,000 bottles have been made of this first vintage.

The 2016 vintage is loaded with new features at Torre de Oña. The Páganos (Álava) winery inaugurated modern facilities after spending two million euros to optimise its entire production process. This deep remodelling is a major winemaking and technological leap which is sure to have a very positive effect on wine quality starting this vintage. Renovations were undertaken in the crush pad, vinification area and barrel ageing halls.

New features include an automated tipping system for the small boxes in which the grapes are brought into the winery and a new pivoting destemmer which prevents the grapes from breaking. Another key innovation is the optical sorter which digitally scans every berry, only letting through those which meet the stringent quality requirements set by the House winemaking team.

So the grapes remain intact from the vines to the fermentation tanks, they are transported in so-called IFOs, small 2000 kilo tanks which are “flown in” hanging from cranes, thereby doing away with the need for crushing and pumping. Pre-fermentation macerations and fermentations are to take place in 18 stainless steel tapered tanks, with a capacity of 20,000 litres. They are fitted withcooling/heating jackets, a key element for perfect malolactic fermentation. A new press with a softer, smoother operation allows for more controlled cycles and less oxidation.

Renovations include the installation of air conditioning equipment in the barrel ageing halls to renew and maintain the air at the right temperature and humidity. This is fed by a new cooling and heating facility to help reduce energy consumption. It is a highly sustainable and efficient system which reflects the firm environmental commitment of Grupo La Rioja Alta, S.A.

]]>http://www.torredeona.com/en/uncategorized/torre-de-ona-spends-e2-million-in-new-facilities/feed/0Rwanda and Ethiopia, new solidarity destinations of our 0.7%http://www.torredeona.com/en/uncategorized/rwanda-and-ethiopia-new-solidarity-destinations-of-our-0-7/
http://www.torredeona.com/en/uncategorized/rwanda-and-ethiopia-new-solidarity-destinations-of-our-0-7/#respondTue, 07 Jun 2016 15:25:35 +0000http://www.torredeona.com/en/?p=3514After several months examining all the proposals received, our Allocation Committee chaired by Board member Maite de Aranzabal Maite opted for the NGOs Medicus Mundi and Derandein. These will use our financial support in cooperation projects in Rwanda and Ethiopia.

In the first case, it is the fifth phase of the ‘‘ project which Medicus Mundi has in place in Rwanda since 2007. Our aid will serve to increase the production of 7 women’s cooperatives over a nine-month period, contributing to the process of personal and community empowerment and, in addition, promoting knowledge in the field of sexual and reproductive health. Initiatives include the installation of a water tank, repairing greenhouses, purchasing machinery for making shoes, building stables and starting a banana plantation. All of it is to be accompanied by an educational component to help properly manage the cooperative.

Meanwhile, the Derandein Foundation will start its Ethiopian programme in July. There it will seek to improve knowledge about agriculture and beekeeping in 145 homes in the Tigray region. For a year, a comprehensive training program will enable these families to learn techniques for growing vegetables and fruit trees, and also to learn about beekeeping with their own hives so that they can market their own honey and increase the personal benefits and community. It is a small boost in a country facing its worst drought in 30 years with a devastating consequences for food supply.

]]>http://www.torredeona.com/en/uncategorized/rwanda-and-ethiopia-new-solidarity-destinations-of-our-0-7/feed/0New editions of the Torre de Oña and Áster Club de Cosecheroshttp://www.torredeona.com/en/uncategorized/new-editions-of-the-torre-de-ona-and-aster-club-de-cosecheros/
http://www.torredeona.com/en/uncategorized/new-editions-of-the-torre-de-ona-and-aster-club-de-cosecheros/#respondMon, 30 Nov 2015 14:13:10 +0000http://www.torredeona.com/en/?p=3325We are looking at two very special wines, both made and selected by our winemaker Julio Sáenz for the exclusive enjoyment of Club Members. They clearly state all the character of their respective terroirs —one located in the Ribera del Duero and the other in the so-called ‘Golden Mile’ of Rioja Alavesa. We are presenting two new editions of the Áster and Torre de Oña Club de Cosecheros, now open for subscription. It is a unique opportunity to toast with your own terroir wine starting from the spring of 2017.

Character, freshness, fruit and balance. These are the main features of the two wines made by our winemaker with grapes from selected plots for the new editions of the two Club de Cosecheros —Áster (2011 vintage) and Torre de Oña (2012 vintage).

The two exclusive Reserva wines—they are not sold anywhere else— have started their bottle ageing stage and, when they are ready, only Club members will be able to toast with them in their most special celebrations. From the spring of 2017, we will be delivering the half barrels (20 cases or 6 bottles) of the Áster Club de Cosecheros and the full barrels (40 cases of 6 bottles) of the Torre de Oña Club de Cosecheros. You can also subscribe to half a barrel (20 cases) at Torre de Oña. Of course, in addition to your wine, you will enjoy all the added benefits of being part of our Club: free tours of our cellars, discounts on purchases, special offers, custom labels and more.

Let yourself be seduced by the personality and style of two magnificent wines, made only for you, which will take you to two renowned wine-growing areas —Ribera del Duero and Rioja Alavesa. You can request more information and already subscribe for your cask at: